A DREAM has come true for a Worcester composer whose music will be played alongside Elgar in the city's cathedral.

A 45-minute requiem mass by Amanda Ballard, a singing teacher at St Mary's Convent School, Battenhall, Worcester, will share the stage with the county's most famous composer.

She said: "It'll be a curious mix of terror and pride."

Miss Ballard, aged 42, began writing the requiem mass two years ago as a therapeutic outlet.

She said: "I was desperately unhappy and this was my way of dealing with it.

"I'd only written short pieces before, such as Christmas carols, never anything of this length. But afterwards I felt a lot better and other people liked it."

Miss Ballard, from St Catherine's Hill, off London Road, Worcester, has been leading the rehearsals of the girls' choir at St Mary's Convent and she will even take part in the singing herself on the night.

"It was played at Tewkesbury Cathedral and I sobbed all the way through it," she said.

"To hear it sung is most gratifying but I'm enormously proud of the girls who sing it so well.

"I'm going to sing too, if I can sing through my tears.

"We've got an outstanding orchestra. It will be an evening of warm and happy music."

Miss Ballard's requiem mass forms part of Worcester Cathedral's Celebration of English Music tomorrow at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the Cathedral shop and St Mary's Convent School.